ed hand a carton filled with ribbons
and bows. Then she drew from the velvet pocket, wrought with pearls,
which hung at her side, suspended by a gold chain, a dark-red rosette,
and threw it into the box. That was all.

Lady Jane now returned to the adjoining room; and her countenance, which
had been previously gloomy and threatening, was now proud and joyful.

With a bright smile she walked up to the queen, and kneeling down at her
side, she pressed a fervent kiss on the hand that was hanging down.

"What is my queen musing over?" asked she, as she laid her head on
Catharine's knee and tenderly looked up at her.

The queen gave a slight start, and raised her head. She saw Lady Jane's
tender smile, and her yet searching looks.

Because she felt conscious of guilt, at least of guilty thoughts, she
was on her guard, and remembered John Heywood's warning.

"She is observing me," she said to herself; "she seems affectionate; so
she is brooding over some wicked plot."

"Ah, it is well you have come, Jane," said she aloud. "You can help me;
for, to tell you the truth, I am in great perplexity. I am in want of a
rhyme, and I am thinking in vain how I shall find it."

"Ah, are you composing poetry, queen?"

"Why, Jane, does that surprise you? Shall I, the queen, be able, then,
to bear off no prize? I would give my precious jewels, if I could
succeed in composing a poem to which the king was obliged to award the
prize. But I am wanting in a musical ear; I cannot find the rhyme, and
so shall be obliged at last to give up the idea of winning laurels also.
How the king would enjoy it, though! For, to confess the truth to you, I
believe he is a little afraid that Henry Howard will bear off the prize,
and he would be very thankful to me if I could contest it with him. You
well know the king has no love for the Howards."

"And you, queen?" asked Jane; and she turned so pale, that the queen
herself noticed it.

"You are unwell, Jane," said she, sympathizingly. "Really, Jane, you
seem to be suffering. You need recreation; you should rest a little."

But Jane had already regained her calm and earnest air, and she
succeeded in smiling.

"No, indeed!" said she. "I am well, and satisfied to be permitted to be
near you. But will you allow me, queen, to make a request of you?"

"Ask, Jane, ask, and it is granted beforehand; for I know that Jane will
request nothing that her friend cannot grant."

Lady Jane was silent, and look